ASHLEIGH BUHAI column
The
RIGHT
Choice
South Africa's last Major champion, a serial winner and two-time Olympian, brings her unique insight exclusively to The Golf Mag's readers in the first of her regular columns
One of the biggest discussions a top amateur will need to have with their team, friends, family – and themselves – is if and when to turn professional. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. There are certainly boxes to tick, but no fixed template where an amateur can simply say, 'Now is the time.'
Caitlyn Macnab (pictured below), the latest female South African golfer to turn pro, has – in my opinion – timed it perfectly. She built an outstanding amateur pedigree, achieved everything she could locally, gained invaluable international experience, and excelled on the US collegiate circuit. At 24, she has reached a level of maturity that positions her well to compete – and succeed – in the professional ranks.
The decision if and when to turn pro ultimately depends on the individual, but there is a combination of key factors in place. I don't think it's enough to turn professional based solely on winning amateur tournaments in South Africa. Sure that demonstrates talent, of course, but the real question is: How dominant are you? What scores are you posting?
If you're winning events at two- or three-under par, unfortunately that won't be good enough to compete week in and week out – and in truth, most weeks you wouldn't be making cuts. Another crucial element is gaining experience beyond South Africa. Exposure to different cultures, course conditions, weather, and even languages plays a big role in adapting to pro life on tour.
Living modestly, and stepping outside your comfort zone builds resilience, and as much as we don't want this to be the case for most pro golfers with long careers, there are many lows and a few highs – but those highs sure do make all the sacrifice and hard work worth it!
I turned professional the day after I turned 18 because I wanted to play golf full-time. I wasn't interested in combining golf with school. This was my choice, but by that point, I had won the South African Strokeplay four times and Matchplay three times, claimed international victories, won professional tournaments on the Sunshine Ladies Tour as an amateur, and was part of the South African team that won the World Amateur Team Championship. This was how I knew I was ready to turn pro, I then secured my first professional title on the Ladies European Tour in just my third event, which helped me know that I made the right decision for me.
I see a lot of myself in Caitlyn. We've spoken about her transition, and her amateur CV is one that will serve her well. She has ticked many of the boxes I believe are essential. She won on the Sunshine Ladies Tour as an amateur – by eight strokes at 12-under par. She has been South African amateur champion, represented her country internationally, and was a standout at Ole Miss. She was South Africa's highest-ranked amateur and competed four times in the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
She has built a strong platform from which to launch her professional career. What comes next will be decided by her and her team, but my advice would be to establish herself on the Ladies European Tour this year.
The Ladies European Tour is the ideal proving ground for emerging professionals such as Caitlyn and Cas Alexander (below). The variety of courses across Europe provide invaluable learning experiences, arguably more diverse than in the United States.
I believe both Caitlyn and Cas have what it takes to play on the LPGA and I look forward to following both their journeys and hopefully having some more South African company on the LPGA in 2027.
about the author
British Open winner
Ashleigh Buhai has
teamed up with
The Golf Mag as a
columnist where she
will take you into her world as an elite professional golfer. Be sure not to miss what one of South Africa's greats has to say.
TROY WINFIELD | HEINRICH HELMBOLD | SUNSHINE TOUR
